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Mont Blanc or Monte Bianco (Italian), meaning "White Mountain", is the highest mountain in the Alps, Western Europe and the European Union. It rises 4,810.45 m above sea level and is ranked 11th in the world in topographic prominence.
The mountain lies in a range called the Graian Alps, between the regions of Aosta Valley, Italy, and Haute-Savoie, France. The location of the summit is on the watershed line between the valleys of Ferret and Veny in Italy and the Arve Valley in France.
The two most famous towns near Mont Blanc are Courmayeur in Aosta Valley, Italy, and Chamonix in Haute-Savoie, France—the site of the first Winter Olympics. A cable car ascends and crosses the mountain from Courmayeur to Chamonix.
The Mont Blanc massif is popular for mountaineering, hiking, skiing and snowboarding.
RIP to the 11 alpinists killed this week.
Thanks to Marie for this awesome shot !!!
Monday, July 16, 2012
Mont Blanc, Chamonix - Xtreme Climbing
Sunday, July 15, 2012
Mont Blanc - Chamonix
Mont Blanc or Monte Bianco (Italian), meaning "White Mountain", is the highest mountain in the Alps, Western Europe and the European Union. It rises 4,810.45 m above sea level and is ranked 11th in the world in topographic prominence.
The mountain lies in a range called the Graian Alps, between the regions of Aosta Valley, Italy, and Haute-Savoie, France. The location of the summit is on the watershed line between the valleys of Ferret and Veny in Italy and the Arve Valley in France.
The two most famous towns near Mont Blanc are Courmayeur in Aosta Valley, Italy, and Chamonix in Haute-Savoie, France—the site of the first Winter Olympics. A cable car ascends and crosses the mountain from Courmayeur to Chamonix.
The Mont Blanc massif is popular for mountaineering, hiking, skiing and snowboarding.
Tuesday, May 8, 2012
Annapurna, Nepal - Mount Machapuchare @Sunset
Machapuchare or Machhapuchhre (6 997m) meaning "Fish Tail" in English, is a mountain in the Annapurna Himalaya of north central Nepal. It is revered by the local population as particularly sacred to the god Shiva, and hence is off limits to climbing.
Machhapuchhre is at the end of a long spur ridge, coming south out of the main backbone of the Annapurna Himal, that forms the eastern boundary of the Annapurna Sanctuary. The Sanctuary is a favorite trekking destination, and the site of the base camps for the South Face of Annapurna and for numerous smaller objectives.
Due to its southern position in the range, and the particularly low terrain that lies south of the Annapurna Himal, Machapuchare commands tremendous vertical relief in a short horizontal distance. This, combined with its steep, pointed profile, make it a particularly striking peak, despite a lower elevation than some of its neighbors. Its double summit resembles the tail of a fish, hence the name meaning "Fish's Tail" in Nepali language It is also nicknamed the "Matterhorn of Nepal".
Machapuchare has never been climbed to its summit. The only attempt was in 1957 by a British team led by Jimmy Roberts. Climbers Wilfrid Noyce and A. D. M. Cox climbed to within 50 m of the summit via the north ridge, but did not complete the ascent; they had promised not to set foot on the actual summit. Since then, the mountain has been declared sacred, and it is now forbidden to climbers.
Saturday, March 3, 2012
Me skiing @ Les 3 Vallées, France
The largest ski resort in the world, without competition, is Les 3 Vallées in France with the major villages Val Thorens, Les Menuires, Meribel and Courchevel. Les 3 Vallées has 600 km of piste which no other linked ski area is close to.
In terms of general skiing conditions, the worlds' best ski resort has to be Whistler, one of the biggest and best in North America, attracting more skiers than any other resort in the world. The magnificent and highly developed all-round resort of Whlstler-Blackcomb, as it is now referred to, boasts two magical mountains full of amazing glaciers and bowls, incredible high-speed lifts, acres of expert and extreme skiing, together with a bright and vibrant village with immense charm - all key elements for the worlds' best ski resort. In Europe, a contender for the worlds' best ski resort would have to be Chamonix-Mont Blanc - its' notoriously challenging terrain comprising the worlds' biggest vertical of over 2,800m and the longest and best-known run in the Alps stretching for 22km. Some other notable challengers would be the ever-popular Vail, the largest single ski area in the US; Courcheval, offering the best skiing in the extensive Trois Vallees region; Kitzbuhel, for its major ski areas, combined with classic Tyrolean charm and accessibility, and Zermatt, with its' high altitude slopes and fairy-tale beauty.
Off the slopes, the worlds' best ski resorts for apres-ski would feature St. Anton and Val d'Isere for their young and lively non-stop party scene, and Aspen and Cortina, both towns known for vibrant and upscale establishments. For exclusivity and glamour, the worlds' best ski resorts would have to include Gstaad, St Moritz, and Lech - all known for a sophisticated atmosphere, jet-set image and stylish clientele. For all-round family-friendliness, the worlds' best ski resorts should feature the versatile resorts of Breckenridge, Les Arcs and Leysin, offering great facilities and plenty of varied terrain.
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Kathmandu, Nepal - Swayambhunath Temple
Swayambhunath is an ancient religious complex atop a hill in the Kathmandu Valley, west of Kathmandu city. It is also known as the Monkey Temple as there are holy monkeys living in parts of the temple in the north-west. The Tibetan name for the site means 'Sublime Trees', for the many varieties of trees found on the hill.
For the Buddhists, Swayambhunath occupies a central position, it is probably the most sacred among Buddhist pilgrimage sites. For Tibetans and followers of Tibetan Buddhism, it second only to Boudhanath.
The Swayambhunath complex consists of a stupa, a variety of shrines and temples, some dating back to the Licchavi period. A Tibetan monastery, museum and library are more recent additions. The stupa has Buddha's eyes and eyebrows painted on. Between them, there is something painted which looks like the nose - but is the Nepali symbol of 'unity', in the main Nepali language dialect.
Sunday, February 19, 2012
Me vs Annapurna
I think I've never posted a photo of me on Flickr but since I had this one I figured out why not.
1. I enjoy outdoors activities, hiking obviously one of them.
2. Since I made this awesome trek, I really want to climb a 7000m mountain !!!
3. As many people made the confusion during my last travel, I'm not nepali ;)
4. I can't get rid of the "Mantra of Avalokiteshvara" music from my mind since my return. This music can be heard everywhere, everytime in Nepal !!!
5. I live in Paris and I'm not a pilot, neither a traveler journalist ...
6. I don't like thinking of random things about me :-)
7. Ever since I got my D80, about 4 years ago, I've shot maybe 30 000 shots.
8. I love travelling. Maybe you do not know that :-)
9. I'm watching NCIS right now.
10. By the way, thanks for all your kind words and supportive comments on Flickr.
Friday, February 17, 2012
Annapurna Base Camp, Nepal - Frozen Morning
Annapurna is a section of the Himalayas in north-central Nepal that includes 8,091 metres (26,545 ft) Annapurna I, thirteen additional peaks over 7,000 m (22,970 ft) and 16 more over 6,000 m (19,690 ft).
The entire massif and surrounding area are protected within the 7,629 km2 Annapurna Conservation Area, the first and largest conservation area in Nepal. The Annapurna Conservation Area is home to several world-class treks, including the Annapurna Circuit.
The Annapurna peaks are the world's most dangerous mountains to climb although, from figures since 1990, Kangchenjunga surpasses Annapurna's death rate. As of 2007, there had been 153 summit ascents of Annapurna I, and 58 climbing fatalities on the mountain. This fatality to summit ratio (38%) is the highest of any of the eight-thousanders. In particular, the ascent via the south face is considered the most difficult of all climbs.